Identify: Tasselled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)The place it lives: Western Pacific Ocean, off the coasts of Northern Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia.What it eats: Fish, crabs, squid, cuttlefish, octopus and different sharks.Why it is superior: The tasselled wobbegong is a grasp of disguise.These carpet sharks, which develop as much as 4 toes (1.2 meters) lengthy, are capable of nearly disappear into the ocean ground because of their broad, flat our bodies and darkish, blotchy coloring, which assist them mix into the reef. In addition they have coral-like lobes of flesh that type a beard-like fringe across the head and chin, which breaks up the wobbegong’s define so as to add an additional layer to its camouflage.The species identify dasypogon comes from the Greek phrase dasys, which means “furry,” and pogon, which interprets as “beard.”Associated: The traditional deep-sea creature that may can choke a shark by spewing slimeGet the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.Their potential to mix into their environment makes them harmful predators. Throughout the day, wobbegongs relaxation beneath reef ledges or in caves. They use a small, whisker-like sensory organ known as a barbel, situated within the nostrils, to sense their surroundings and ambush prey that comes too shut. These sharks additionally wave their tails to mimic the motion of a small fish, which might lure in unsuspecting victims.However at evening tasselled wobbegong sharks actually come to life, perching on the reef and attacking passing prey. Once they spot a goal, they lunge upwards and suck the animal into their large mouths, earlier than clamping down with highly effective jaws and sharp, needle-like tooth.These fish can even dislocate their jaw to eat bigger prey — together with different sharks. In 2011, whereas finishing up a survey of fishes off the Nice Barrier Reef in Australia, marine biologists noticed a tasselled wobbegong consuming a brown-banded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) that was 80% its measurement.Wobbegongs pose little or no risk to people however have been reported to sometimes chunk divers who come too shut. The Florida Museum’s Worldwide Shark Assault File information 31 unprovoked wobbegong (of varied species) assaults since 1580, however none have been deadly.The wobbegong’s camouflage additionally helps to guard them from predators, as they might be eaten by different marine animals, together with bigger sharks.